Jonnu Smith Is Already A Fan Favorite In Miami
Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Jonnu Smith hasn’t even taken a snap with the Miami Dolphins yet, but he is already quickly becoming a fan favorite. The Dolphins and Buffalo Bills rivalry has been real and intense, especially in the last few years, with both teams fighting for the AFC East crown. While Smith has only been on the Dolphins for a little over four months, but he has already made himself right at home by bashing the city of Buffalo.
The former third-round pick recently appeared on The Dive Bar Podcast and gave his thoughts on a place he won’t be welcomed with open arms anymore. “That’s why the fans be hating so much because they want to be down here. You ever went to Buffalo? Oh, my gosh, man,” Smith said. “I don’t know how those dudes do it. I don’t know how they did it. I don’t know how they did it, man. Going from anywhere in the country, man, and going to Buffalo. It got to be the worst place you could be.”
Smith wasn’t done yet. “And the Buffalo wings ain’t even good. They ain’t even good. I’m at Buffalo. I’m at them. All type of shots at Buffalo.”
Throwing shade at the city is one thing, but that is a place that is proud of its Buffalo wings. By attacking one of the city’s favorite foods, Smith knew to hit the city where it hurts, and there is no doubt that Bills fans and maybe even the players will take notice.
As much fun as it is to rip a rival, the Bills have had the last laugh as of late. The Bills have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Dolphins and took the edge in all the most crucial matchups. In the last week of the regular season, the AFC East title was on the line, and Buffalo came out on top 21-14. This was despite the Dolphins entering the fourth quarter up 14-7, but they almost immediately surrendered a 96-yard punt return, then didn’t have an answer when Josh Allen tossed the go-ahead touchdown to Dawson Knox with seven minutes left.
The Dolphins still have a sour taste in their mouth from that game, and the talk for Miami ever since has been all about what the team can do to get past the Bills. The fans hope that players like Smith can make a difference. Smith signed a two-year deal that will pay him a little north of $8 million, which could be a steal if Smith can be another weapon for Tua Tagovailoa. The best year of Smith’s career came last year with the Atlanta Falcons as he caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith is currently slated as the top tight end on the depth chart, but there are so many more weapons on the Dolphins including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane. Heck, even Odell Beckham Jr entered the fold this offseason. Smith has taken notice of all the playmakers, but he said the thing he is most looking forward to is playing with his new quarterback.
“Tua is probably the most talented when it comes to arm — I’m not even going to say probably, he is,” Smith said on The Dive Bar Podcast. “When it comes to arm talent and the way he moves his eyes, I was impressed the first time working with him and throwing with him.”
Last season, the Dolphins targeted tight ends only 52 times, which was a league-low. With Smith and his speed now on the team, the expectation is that number will be much higher. Since the start of the 2022 season, Smith is the only tight end to exceed 20 MPH as a ball carrier according to Next Gen Stats.
The trash talk during the offseason is fun and is a great start to Smithbecoming a fan favorite. He can finish the job if he can help the team get past the Bills a couple of times during the regular season, and maybe even beyond. This Dolphins team is too talented, especially on offense, to keep falling short during the regular season especially. While the Dolphins added players like Smith and Beckham, the Bills were busy trading Stefon Diggs away to the Houston Texans. The Dolphins improved this offseason, and there is no more time for excuses. 2024 has to be the year that the Dolphins take back the AFC East.
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